Senior project spreads warmth, security

LAKEPORT -- A little warmth can go a long way. Clear Lake High School senior Haley Garzoli knows this because her father was in law enforcement for more than 20 years. There were plenty of times when a child needed comfort, warmth and the security of a blanket.

Garzoli's senior project focused on child psychology, which seems appropriate for an aspiring nursing student. She researched the topic and learned events such as a vehicle crashes can dramatically impact a child, and a blanket can be comforting during a time of crisis.

Garzoli raised the money to fund her project and purchased the blanket materials needed. She crafted a dozen tie blankets. She's made them before with her mother and they donated those blankets to foster children.

She hopes next year another student will make and donate blankets for a senior project, so each patrol car would have a warm blanket available to give to a scared child. She used fabrics she thought girls would like and others she thought boys might like. Some have cartoon characters and others are neutral.

"The children don't know me, but I think it's nice for them to know someone is thinking about them and everything will be OK," Garzoli said. I think the blankets have a lasting impact on kids who receive them.

Pictured: Clear Lake High School senior Haley Garzoli (right) presents 12 handmade blankets to California Highway Patrol Officer Kory Reynolds. She made the blankets so patrol cars would have a warm blanket available to give to a scared child in a time of crisis.